Sting targets illegal drink sales

Four of seven pubs in a Nottingham suburb have been fined for serving drinks to minors in a police crackdown.

The staff at pubs in Arnold were each fined £80 after being caught selling alcohol to a teenager.

Licensing officer Paul Horton said drinks were served to a 14-year-old girl at The Arrow, Lord Nelson, Robin Hood and Little John and Tangerine Bar.

The teenager was accompanied by plain-clothes officers and licensing officers during the sting.

Licensing officer Paul Horton said: "The results are extremely disappointing, with over half the premises visited serving the girl."

He added: "Any premises caught repeatedly serving alcohol to people aged under 18 will be scrutinised by the police and licensing authorities, which could result in a review of their current licence."

In a similar sting in Broxtowe in June, none of the 30 pubs visited sold alcohol illegally.

But another test purchase operation in Nottingham last December saw 11 of 13 pubs and off-licences selling alcohol to underage drinkers.